Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 19 Entries. Monday, June 21 View Page Better late than never. I have been meaning to post on BP for the past 4 weeks and I finally find a few unoccupied minutes to make some notes and post some pictures. After beating my personal best of 119 lbs by 610 lbs with my 729 Rosa in 2009, I hope to do even better this year with the 923 Gerhardt and the 963 Rauch. Monday, June 21 View Page Picture of the 923 Gerhardt at day 12 in the patch. Monday, June 21 View Page 923 Gerhardt - Day 48 in the patch Monday, June 21 View Page 963 Rauch day 22 in the patch Monday, June 21 View Page 963 Rauch day 44 in the patch. Monday, June 21 View Page SOB. 963 Rauch out to 15' and decided that it wanted to split in two. Happened on Friday, June 18th. Oh well. I have one of the largest female flowers that I have ever seen that will be ready for pollination tomorrow morning, June 22nd. I have a large amount of plant behind the pumpkin so hopefully it takes and saves the season for this plant. I will grow out the last side vine before the break in hopes that it takes the place of the main vine. Monday, June 21 View Page Forgot to note that the female on the 963 is out at 14' about 1 foot behind where the split happened. Monday, June 21 View Page 923 Gerhardt showing some signs of distress. Very strange. 4 of the leaves on the main vine back from the tip show some serious wilt and burn and the third leaf on almost every side vine, from the tips, shows some burning. I cannot contribute this to sun burn. There was a leaf near the tip of the main vine that was about 2 inches in diameter that has been completely destroyed. It could have been an over fertilization when I foliar feed both plants on June 12th or maybe it was the application of my insecticides and fungicides on the 14th. The strangest thing is that I applied the same amounts of fertilizer to both the 923 and 963 and same amounts of insec/fungic to both the 923 and 963 and yet the 963 shows hardly any signs of distress. I must also note that all other leaves on the 923 are perfectly healthy and have never shown any sign of wilting even during the hottest days. Tuesday, August 17 View Page Well, it’s been a while since my last post. I am happy to report that I have passed my PB of 729lbs with the help of the beautiful 923 Gerhardt. I have been proactive with the pesticide and fungicide applications and continue to fertilize with Neptune’s, Humic Acid and tea applications. The 923 Gerhardt is currently at day 62 with an OTT of 335” – 790lbs. Still holding a good shape and great color. I won’t be setting any world records but hope to at least get to 950 on tape and then, with some luck, go 5-6% heavy to break the 1000lb mark. Not bad for year #2. Still doing about 8 lbs a day. If I can at least hold that growth for the next 15-20 days..Who knows? Thanks Jimmy!!!! Tuesday, August 17 View Page 923 Gerhardt day 62. No Jimmy, I am not waxing my pumpkin.....Sounds kind of perverted. 790lbs in a patch that goes less than 350sq'.... Who says you can't grow a good one in a little patch...Yes, the beer is empty. This season has caused the demise of many a cold beer. Sunday, October 3 View Page Well, just got home from a week’s trip at Disney with the family. Was pleasantly surprised to see that my patch didn’t float away with the 9+ inches of rain that we had here while I was gone. Was also happy to see another 16 pounds of weight gain and even had a little surprise waiting for me when I went into the patch. Amazing seed this Gerhardt 923. The plant just does not want to stop growing fruit. Sunday, October 3 View Page 5 days before I cut this beauty from the vine. Heading to the Mid-Atlantic Giant Pumpkin Growers weight off at the Delaware Valley Farmers Market this Saturday October 9th. Will I break 1000???? Stay tuned… Thursday, October 28 View Page Monster Pumpkin Madness!!!! Thursday, October 28 View Page Could it be?????? Jimmy Gerhardt gives me a seed from his beautiful 923 from 09' and what does it produce??? Two indentical 921.5's, 921.5 Rosa2010 921.5 Gerhardt 2010!!!! Woohooo. Thursday, October 28 View Page Did Jim want 1000+. Ohh yeah.... Did he get it.....does the look on his face answer the question?? Still, we couldn't have scripted a better end to the season. What an experience Thursday, October 28 View Page A little bling bling!!! Classic!! Thursday, October 28 View Page Kevin and his BEAST!!!!!!! Thursday, October 28 View Page Although Jim and I grew indentical beautiful deep orange beauties, only one could take the Howard Dill Award.... Jimmy is giving me some congratulations..... Thursday, October 28 View Page And the proof. What a great year. Met alot of great people this year and the experience at Monster Pumpkin Madness held at Del Val College was something that I will never forget. BRING ON 2011!!! And thanks again Jimmy for the seed and the knowledge!!! You are truly a good man...